Gotcha Day

11th November may be Remembrance day in the UK, but it is a very special day in our house for me and Lutaaya.

It's our 'GOTCHA DAY!'

(Thanks the to Gaddis family for the name)

This date, last year, I finally got my girl.

A little girl finally got a family.

A little girl left an orphanage forever.

Gotcha day 2010

and for those of you who weren't following the blog then, or those who want to revisit this special day, as it happened, check out this link.
Lots of the children in the photos on the link, are still awaiting families, so please keep them in your prayers.  Many are on a waiting child list for an America adoption agency, so here's praying Mum's and Dad's come forward soon for them, and those in the process, will get their 'gotcha day' soon.

When I think how much has happened during this past year it amazes me! 

My little girl has excelled in adapting to family life.  There have been many struggles along the way and it certainly hasn't been an easy ride for either of us.  Though looking back, the positives certainly outweigh the negatives.  There still are hurdles we need to cross but we are getting there. 

Gotcha day 2011

Finally we are coming to the end of our 'firsts' experiences for this first year.  I'm looking forward to every little thing we get to experience together again in this coming year.

Why did God make mosquitoes?

Irritating, nasty, disease spreading, annoying, miserable little bugs!

What was God thinking when he made mosquitoes?????

I hate mosquitoes!  It’s true!

For some reason they don’t actually realise this and want to spend as much time around me as possible. 

They smell me getting off the plane in whatever country I go too.  They want MY blood!

Then once they’ve had their fill, they leave me with the itchiest, swollen bite you can ever imagine!

Some beauties from Uganda!

Now I know that I’m not the only one to think of these horrid little creatures in this way.  I mean, who would actually like them?

But did you know………………………

There are more than 3000 different types of mosquito.

Anopheles mosquitoes are the only species known to carry malaria.

Only female mosquitoes suck blood.

And even though we usually only know of the negative side of the mosquito.  They actually are the main food source for a lot of animals.  Dragonflies, frogs and bats all benefit from having the mosquito as their main source of food in many countries.

So when God created the mosquito, He had a purpose for them, as He does with every living creature, including YOU!

God didn’t create them as the malaria carrying nuisances we may think of them to be.  He saw them as a vital source of food, a major part of certain food cycles.

So to eradicate these pesky creatures wouldn’t be a solution.  In doing so, we would not only get rid of mosquitoes, but also many other species of frogs, bats, etc.

We have to live with them.

So I am ever thankful that I live most of my days in a country free from the little pests and find ways of coping with them when I travel abroad.

And for those of you who also have the sweet smelling blood that they just love, why not try some of these suggested remedies next time you’re in the company of a mosquito? Can’t say they work, but anything’s worth a try!

Use a repellent that contains DEET.

Avoid wearing perfumes.

Take vitamin B supplements.

Eat garlic tablets.

Avoid dark coloured clothes.

Use citronella or lemon oil.

....................................just a few to name!

The Africa in Cuba

This holiday was my 4^th time to visit Cuba.  I had 3 holidays there before I ventured to Africa.  What strikes me though is the fact that there are so many similarities between Cuba and Uganda. 

In general the countries are very different.  Different parts of the world.  Different government rulings.  Different languages.  Different ways of living.

It’s when you experience the cultures that the similarities are found.

The journey from the airport to the hotel, reminds me a little of Uganda.  There are no slums in Cuba, but there are blocks of flats and tight knit communities.  The dust sweeps across the roads, and yes, the roads here are tarmac and not so pot-holed as in Uganda, but that dust - it could be African dust!  Then there are the people.  Waiting at the roadside.  Undoubtedly not begging like in Uganda, but waiting to hitchhike to their destination.  Hitchhiking is one of the main means of transport for Cuban people, and Cuba is a very safe place to hitchhike.  Just seeing them though, and those walking with their cattle pulling carts, simply reminds me of Uganda.

The people are all so welcoming in both countries.  Both countries have hardships, and I wonder if that’s what makes the people stronger; happier? There’s little emphasis on the materialistic world often attached to our country’s way of living.

Oh and the music.  Music and dancing everywhere.  The dances may differ but the rhythm of the music underlies life here, as it does in Uganda.  Our Cuban friend even managed to try and get my Dad to salsa - not very successfully might I add!

I never realised before this trip that there is a thread of Africa underlying in Cuba’s history.  The Aborigines initially lived in Cuba, and when these left and the Spanish took over the Country, they imported African slaves to come and work the land. 

So I’m not mad when I hear that African rhythm in the Cuban music.  It’s there for sure!  Deep rooted in Cuba’s history.

Halloween

Halloween is a funny time of year isn't it?  I can't say I actually get it!  I mean, I really don't know the logic behind any of the festivities.
One thing I do know though, is that Lutaaya has found it even more baffling than I do.

Over the past few weeks, even walking into the supermarket has been a little scary for my little girl.  The aisles have been stocked with costumes resembling witches, ghosts and basically any horrible, ghoulish thing imaginable.

The thing is, in Uganda, witches are VERY real.  Witchcraft is around on a daily basis.  Witches prescribe unimaginable medical advice to people in Uganda and have a huge influence on many peoples' lives.

To walk into a store and see the witches and then think that this is being celebrated rather than condoned, must be very confusing to a little girl who hasn't been home a year.  So, when asked if she wanted to join in and go trick or treating, and do some other crafty things, the answer has always been 'NO!'

Then, her friends start doing just that!  They start taking this all in a light hearted way and they want Lutaaya to join in.  So mad dash to the supermarket yesterday to quickly buy an outfit so she actually could take part, and a few hours later, we have a change of heart and a little girl who is happy to play the part of a good witch, along with her friends.

And tonight, we made it extra special by inviting a couple of her friends around to do some other things.  I don't know why we do the ducking apples thing on Halloween, feel free to enlighten me if you know, but why not join in when it's so much fun?!  Oh my, how competitive these girls are to get the goodies at the bottom of the bowl!

Gypsy wanted in on the action too!  Oh how this cat LOVES apples!

Our Grampa quoted, 'in all of my 76 years, I don't think I've ever had to do this!'  So you know, it was a new experience for us all!  Big thanks to Gramp for his beautiful carving of the pumpkin, getting Lutaaya's design just perfect.

We also tried out a crafty snack, thanks to Bethany Gaddis for sharing on her facebook page for the idea.  Check out our gruesome mouths!

Happy Birthday Jjajja

A year ago today, Mum's birthday passed almost unnoticed, as we spent most of the day in a Ugandan court room.  This year, we have our precious girl home and we could celebrate Lutaaya's Jjajja's birthday properly.

Happy Birthday Jjajja!

Hola Cuba!

So after the mad dash to the travel agents, once we had Lutaaya's passport in our hands, we managed to book a holiday to Cuba.  Leaving the very next week!  Nothing like leaving it til last minute hey?

I had wondered how Lutaaya would react to a holiday.  She doesn't cope very well with change in general to her daily routine.  A holiday would mean her total routine changed and altered. 

You know what?

She did great!

She, once again took everything in her stride and enjoyed every minute of every day. 

I'll leave you with a few photos showing just that!

Loving having a pool to jump in every day!

Enjoying the ride in the old US car

Fun times!

She was amazed by her 'cartoon' caricature.  And check out the Welsh flag in the background!

Love this girl!

If earth is this much like paradise, what is Heaven like?

So relaxed

Family pic of the holiday :)

Yep, I think she managed to eat at least one ice cream every day!

Serenity!

Jump!!!!!!!!!!

I think she wore her Grandad out!

Lutaaya's favourite waitress!

Our final towel design from the maid.....Lutaaya wanted us to write 'thank you' back, but I managed to explain we didn't have enough towels or skills for that!!!

Passport

I have to start this blog by apologising.  I asked those of you who pray to keep Lutaaya's passport in mind, to get it through speedily.  I have been so rushed since receiving it that I haven't had time to blog and actually say that the passport arrived.  It actually took under two weeks to come back....amazingly.  God always works out things to the very last detail.

Lutaaya was over the moon when I told her it had arrived.  I even had a hug and those of you who know her, will know that is very out of the ordinary.  This was the one thing she wanted that to her made her British.

And the reason we wanted her passport back so quickly.....to have a holiday.  My parents birthday present to me for my 30th was a holiday.  Due to Lutaaya's passport not being here they weren't able to book anything for my birthday, so we waited.  Obviously having work committments meant that Dad had to pre-book his time off work.  He booked three weeks off to give us a little room to move but those three weeks happened to fall in October, giving us not too much time to wait on a passport return.

'My God is able'......goes the little song I've heard the children in Uganda sing so many times.  And oh so He is!

Passport returned and holiday booked all in one day.  Cuba we here we come!  Look out Lutaaya, here comes your very first family holiday!